Challenger Highlights Expo ‘87/West

Major dealers from many parts of the United States are expected at Stamp Expo ‘87/West, the 49th show in a series sponsored by the International Stamp Collectors Society. It’s scheduled Jan. 2-4 at the Anaheim Holiday Inn, 1850 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim.

Three exclusive covers and a pictorial postmark noting the first anniversary of the Challenger space shuttle tragedy will be available at the show at discount prices of $1.95 each or $5.85 for the set. By mail order, the envelopes are $3.95 each or $9.95 for the set, from Stamp Expo, P.O. Box 854, Van Nuys, Calif. 91408. Also, a special cancellation for the envelopes will be available at the show.

One of the covers lists the names of the astronauts aboard the shuttle; the others are cacheted with artwork depicting the shuttle.

Show times are noon-7 p.m. Friday, noon-7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Adult admission is $2; senior citizens and ages 12-16 admission is $1, and children 11 and under are admitted free when accompanied by adult. Free parking is provided.

The following week, Jan. 9-11, the Orcopex ’87 Stamp Show is scheduled at the Sheraton Anaheim Hotel, 1015 W. Ball Road, Anaheim. About 50 stamp dealers as well as foreign and U.S. post office representatives will be present, and a special show cancel will be available. Hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $1 for adults, free for children 15 and under. Free parking is available.

Question: I enclose photocopies of two postal cards. One shows the full stamp and part of another of the 3-cent Statue of Liberty card. The other card is an upside-down 2-cent Franklin. I have been unable to locate any reference to these two items. What is their history and current market value?--R.J.J.

Answer: Your 3-cent card is a double impression, listed in Scott’s catalogue for $300 mint. The other card is mis-cut, probably by a collector or dealer who wanted to make some money by faking an “inverted” impression. This 2-cent card has no special value. It was created by someone obtaining a full sheet of mint cards and cutting them to simulate an invert design.

Q: I have several canceled foreign stamps of historical significance. Some are from Iran and have the former monarch on them. Another group from the Philippines has Koreo on them. What are they worth?--G.R.K.

A: A number of issues fit these descriptions. Describe them in more detail so I know which ones you have, or check in a Scott catalogue at a library or stamp dealer’s shop.

Q: While looking through my mother’s old books I came across a stamp that was issued in 1941. It shows a Minuteman with a rifle and the inscription “America on Guard, 50, U.S. Postal Savings.” There are five of them. Is there any value?--M.B.M.

A: This is the 1941 Postal Savings stamp (Scott No. PS13), listed currently at $9 per stamp.

U.S. Postal Savings stamps were issued from 1911 to 1966 to provide a convenient method of savings for customers. The stamps were redeemable in the form of credits to Postal Savings accounts, and were originally begun to encourage savings from citizens who mistrusted banks, especially new immigrants or people in the Depression who lost money in bank accounts.

With federally insured savings accounts at commercial banks and savings and loan institutions, the need for Postal Savings withered away, and the system was abolished March 28, 1966. As a little boy, I remember going to the post office and seeing people buying Postal Savings stamps at a special lobby window. I didn’t buy any for my youthful stamp collection, because I thought they would never be valuable.

Q: A family member has recently died. He had an extensive, specialized and valuable stamp collection. To whom should the family turn for an honest and expert evaluation of these stamps? We want to sell them as soon as possible, and fear “being taken.”--Anonymous

A: Most established stamp dealers are honest. They will pay approximately half their selling prices for stamps that they buy. But this is a rough rule, and stamps that are popular and easy to sell will usually bring a better price than 50% of retail.

Start by visiting dealers listed under “Stamps for Collectors” in the telephone book Yellow Pages. Get more than one appraisal. Ask the Better Business Bureau if the company is reliable. Ask the dealer for business references.

Q: What are these U.S. issues worth? Apollo 8, the 10-cent First Man on Moon, a Decade of Achievement 8-cent, 5-cent astronaut in orbit with a lifetime, 5-cent Winston Churchill, 5-cent John Winston Churchill, 5-cent John F. Kennedy, 8-cent Pharmacy, and a sheet of different historical flags like Bunker Hill, 1776, and “Don’t Tread on Me.”--M.S.

A: The “First Man on Moon” air mail from 1969 is worth about double face. Your 5-cent astronaut in orbit (called the “Space Twins” in collector slang) is worth a few dollars if you have the plate number block-of-four. Your historical flags sheet is about double face value. The other stamps are still worth about face value.

Q: Is there an organization that specializes in revenues like playing-card stamps and telegraph-tax issues?--R.C.

A: The American Revenue Assn. publishes an informative journal 10 times a year, has an auction and sales department for members and maintains a lending library as membership benefits. Dues are $15 per year. For more information and a membership application, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Bruce Miller, Secretary, A.R.A., 7091 South 1st Ave., Suite 332, Arcadia, Calif. 91006.